WAR IN THE PACIFIC

1. WAR IN THE PACIFIC

2. As World War II began for the United States in 1941, President Roosevelt … • decided to concentrate first on the war in Europe • to place the Pacific war on hold • Japan inflicted major defeats on U.S. forces in the first few months after the attack on Pearl Harbor

3. QUIZ TIME: What was … • The first naval battle in history in which all the fighting was done by carrier – based aircraft • the first important Allied victory in the Pacific

4. Battle of the Coral Sea May 4-8 , 1942

5. QUIZ TIME: The name of the battle in which … • The tide of Japanese conquest in the Pacific was turned in this battle • An example of the crucial Japanese mistake in 1942 of: • attempting to control too much of the Pacific • overextending themselves instead of digging in and consolidating their gains

6. Battle of Midway June 3-6 , 1942

7. QUIZ TIME: What was the name given to … • United States war strategy • Attacking across the South Pacific while bypassing Japanese strongholds

8. “island hopping” Or “leap frogging”

9. QUIZ TIME: Name of the battle that was… • especially important, because from there Americans could conduct round-trip bombing raids on the Japanese home islands

10. Guam Summer 1944

11. QUIZ TIME: Name this battle… • In 1944, as a result of this battle Japan • lost its capacity to continue a serious naval war • was finished as a naval power

12. Battle of Leyte Gulf October , 1944

13. War on the Asian mainland (1943-44) • Allied troops established a land supply route between India and China • Japanese forces continued to drive deep into the Chinese interior • Chinese leaders devoted much of their efforts to fighting Chinese communists instead of Japanese troops

14. HOMEWORK !!!Due next time we meet THURSDAY, FEB. 15 • STUDY FOR WWII TEST • Read assigned perspective on Atomic Bomb dropping – be prepared to explain the contents of that reading to the rest of the class

15. VIDEO: CIVILIANS AT WAR Through Nuremberg Trials part

16. Nuremberg Trials • Criminal trials of Nazi leaders , industrialists after WWII • On trial for • Planning and waging aggressive war • War crimes ( killing prisoners ; plundering) • Crimes against humanity ( extermination; slavery) • Main Trial • 24 top leaders ( most executed or imprisoned) • Other trials of over 200 lesser leaders • Established precedent = individuals responsible for actions even in wartime

17. RESEARCH PAPER recommendation -Nuremberg Trials • concept of War Crimes & Crimes Against Humanity • RECOMMENDED MOVIE = Nuremberg (2000)

18. Discussion of decision to drop the atomic bomb & the beginnings of the Cold War • To Prepare for discussion • Look for evidence that defends AND refutes the following statement • The United States decision to drop an atomic bomb on Hiroshima was a diplomatic measure calculated to intimidate the Soviet Union in the post-Second- World- War era rather than a strictly military measure designed to force Japan’s unconditional surrender. • Research and Read about military and diplomatic history during the year of 1939 – 1947 that relates to the tensions between the US/GB vs. USSR • READ : • Relevant parts of Unit 5 Reading Assignments • PSD’s 378-395 • Atomic Bomb NEXT TEXT (especially Part II and IV)